September 19, 2020

Dear Resident Families,

Again, thanks be to God, everyone in the Home continues to test negative for Covid-19. Out latest testing was done last Monday, the 14th. As you may know, testing will continue weekly throughout the month of September. We will then wait to see what the Department of Health and the Governor’s Office tell us.

Speaking of the Department of Health, as you know from the email that was sent on Wednesday, there have been some new regulations for visitation. The highlights are the following:

• Facilities can welcome visitors if the facility does not have a new onset of Covid-19 for 14 days (Previously, it was 28 days).
• All visitors, regardless of indoor or outdoor visits, are required to bring proof that they have been tested for Covid-19 within 7 days of the visi. (Window visits do not require testing).
• The number of visitors at a given time is 10 percent of the census (At the moment, our census is 51. That means only 5 visitors may be onsite at a given time).
• End-of-life and compassionate care visitors will not need to be tested in advance of the visit.

The Department of Health has also asked us to put our Pandemic Emergency Plan on our website. We invite you to read it.

Now for some good news… Going back to the feast of Saint Jeanne Jugan, I have a touching story to share. On that day, a volunteer, who lives only a few blocks from Queen of Peace, came onto the property and prayed at the statue of Saint Jeanne Jugan at the entrance. Her prayer was for the protection of the Residents, Little Sisters, family members, employees, Associates and volunteers. If it had not been for the pandemic, she would have been inside the Home to celebrate with us on this feast day. Although she couldn’t come into the Home, it was thoughtful of her to take the time to come and pray for all of us at the statue!

Ellen Hanna was one of our Residents who recently went Home to God. Since there was no wake or funeral here at Queen of Peace due to the pandemic, the Residents didn’t have the possibility to have closure. The Little Sister on the second floor had the idea to have a Remembrance Party. So, one afternoon last week, with masks on and six-feet apart, the Residents remembered Ellen. First, the microphone was passed and everyone had a chance to express how they felt or to say a prayer. Then snacks were served and each one was able to take a small token from Ellen’s treasures as a remembrance. Of course, there were balloons! It was a bittersweet party, but one that helped ease the loss of their friend. May Ellen rest in peace!

Know of our prayers for you and your families. May the Lord look with love on each of us. God bless you all!

Sincerely,
Mother Celine Thérèse, l.s.p.

Click here for our Pandemic Emergency Plan (PEP)

Previous Updates:
August 31, 2020
August 10, 2020
July 26, 2020
July 11, 2020
June 11, 2020
June 8, 2020
May 24, 2020
May 8, 2020
April 29, 2020
March 19, 2020

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Together we can pray to Saint Jeanne Jugan to stop the spread of the virus. Click here for the novena to St. Jeanne Jugan. Click here for additional prayers for the healing of the coronavirus.

Join us in praying one MILLION rosaries to end the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our national page here for more information and to sign up.